Written by

B.J. Hammerstein, L.L. Brasier and Ann Zaniewski

Detroit Free Press Staff Writers

Democrats gained a larger foothold in Oakland County government Tuesday night, when a Democratic state representative unseated the Republican county clerk.

And a Democrat held on to a razor-thin lead over a Republican incumbent to win the race for water resources commissioner.

Oakland County Clerk Bill Bullard, a Republican from Highland Township, lost his fight to retain his seat against state Rep Lisa Brown, D- W. Bloomfield. Brown received 53.3% of the votes to Bullard’s 46.4%, with 100% of precincts reporting.

In the water resources commissioner race, incumbent Republican John McCulloch narrowly lost his position to Oakland County Commissioner Jim Nash, a Democrat from Farmington Hills. Nash received 50.4% and McCulloch 49%, with 100% of precincts reporting.

"The changing county demographics are obviously moving in our direction," said Frank Houston, chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party. He said Democrats have made inroads in county government over the last decade.

Bullard was appointed to the clerk's post in 2010 after former Clerk Ruth Johnson became secretary of state.

Brown made national headlines this year when Republican leaders barred her from speaking in the state House following comments she made during a fight about abortion legislation. Brown gave up her state house seat to vie for the clerk’s job.

In the water resources commissioner race, incumbent Republican John McCulloch faced Oakland County Commissioner Jim Nash, a Democrat from Farmington Hills, in very close race. With 54% of precincts reporting, Nash had 50% and McCulloch 49%.

County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper, a Democrat, appeared to be fending off a challenge Tuesday night by Republican Mike Bishop, former Senate majority leader.

It was one of the more hotly contested races in a county that until recent years, consistently elected Republicans to countywide offices. Cooper, the first woman to hold that office, was elected in 2008. Cooper led 51%-45%, with 54% of precincts reporting.

"We're cautiously optimistic," said Paul Walton, chief assistant prosecutor. He and Cooper and Cooper's supporters were at a restaurant in Royal Oak watching the returns. "There's still a lot of precincts out there, but the numbers are encouraging."

L. Brooks Patterson, the longtime county executive still recovering from a serious automobile accident in August, was beating Democratic challenger Kevin Howley of Huntington Woods. With 54% of precincts reporting, the Republican incumbent led 56%-42%.

In the race for Oakland County treasurer, incumbent Democrat Andy Meisner was ahead of Republican challenger Marty Knollenberg of Troy. With 54% of precincts reporting, Meisner had the lead, 52% - to 46% for Knollenberg, a state representative term-limited from his House seat.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, a Republican, faced a rematch of his 2008 election over Democrat Jane Boudreau. Boudreau is a former sheriff's deputy. Bouchard led 59%-40% with 54% of precincts reporting.